Shotshell Primers

[Marc257]

I'm not new to reloading pistol & rifle, but I am new to shotshell loading. I know to follow the recipes in the book, but what about primer interchangability? Is there that much difference from one to another?

 

[esheato]

Yes.

Shotshells are even more particular than rifle/pistol.

They're not kidding when they say follow the recipe.

 

[NCsmitty]

If you take the time, you can do a search about shotshell primers.

Here's a short article comparing some of the "off" brands to the Win 209.

http://www.armbrust.acf2.org/bargainprimer.htm



NCsmitty

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I'm just getting into reloading opposite from you. I've reloaded shotshells for a long time and about to start loading pistol.

There is a difference with shotshell primers even though some will tell you there isn't. This is especially important if your loading with pressures becoming close to the maximum.

Target loads with lower pressures are a little more forgiving.
Stay away from the federal 209A primers and CCI 209 magnum primers unless you load data specifies their use in your recipe. These are the hottest primers and can make a dramatic difference in pressures.

 

[Steve C]

If you look at the data on the web for shot gun shells or in the manuals you will find that most combinations of components including different powders are listed. There is definite overlap of loads with different primers so sometimes a change to a different primer will still make a safe load but other times it may not so check the data each time you change any of the components.

A change in primer may make the shell slower or faster. Here is an example of loads from the data at Hodgdon.com for 12ga 1-1/8 oz in AA Winchester shells with WAA12 wads using Win Super Hcp powder and the affect of different primers. Each load is the maximum listed for the primer.

PRIMER WAD GRS PRESSURE VEL
Ched. 209 WAA12 20.5 11,400 PSI 1255
Fed. 209A WAA12 18.9 10,300 PSI 1200
Fio. 617 WAA12 22.5 11,400 PSI 1310
Rem. 209P WAA12 20.8 10,700 PSI 1255
Rio G-600 WAA12 20.8 10,600 PSI 1255
Win. 209 WAA12 20.9 11,300 PSI 1255

 

[oneounceload]

you CAN sub NobelSport for Win 209, but otherwise, there aren't too many others - the same holds true for hulls and wads

 

[Bruno2]

http://www.armbrust.acf2.org/bargainprimer.htm

According to this the PMC is the direct replacement for the win 209.